The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has strongly condemned the recent arrests of two journalists, Rowland Olonishuwa and Seun Odunlami, by police operatives from Lagos State, describing the incidents as “tantamount to intimidation and an infringement on the fundamental human rights” of its members.
“This is a clear breach of journalistic rights,” said Mahmood Olayinka Alaya, Secretary of the Kwara NUJ Council. “The NUJ will not condone any form of intimidation, harassment, or illegal detention of journalists, especially when such actions are carried out with utter disregard for the rule of law and fundamental human rights.”
Olonishuwa, a prominent journalist and member of the Herald Chapel of the Union, was forcefully taken from his residence in Ilorin on Wednesday morning by detectives of the Special Fraud Unit of the Police from Lagos State.
“This situation is deeply troubling, as the secretive nature of the arrest violates proper legal and procedural norms,” Alaya added.
Similarly, Odunlami, publisher of Newsjaunts online, was arrested on Wednesday by operatives of the Lagos State Police command in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
“The Gestapo manner in which Odunlami was picked up… is a sad reminiscent of the better-forgotten-military era when journalists were hounded into detention at any slight provocation albeit unfounded allegations,” said Bunmi Adigun, Secretary of the Ogun NUJ Council.
The NUJ has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of both journalists, seeking detailed explanations for the circumstances surrounding their arrests.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Seun Odunlami, a detailed explanation for the circumstances surrounding his abduction, as well as an investigation into the actions of the police operatives involved,” Adigun stated.
The union has also called on the Nigeria Police Force to urgently address these violations and prevent the erosion of trust between the public, the press, and law enforcement agencies.
“The press is not an enemy of the state but a vital pillar of democracy,” Alaya emphasized. “We urge all relevant authorities to intervene and ensure the safe return of our members while the NUJ continues to advocate for the protection of journalists’ rights and the rule of law in Nigeria.”
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